Rep. Adam Bernbaum

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1539 establishes a work group to study and develop recommendations for wildfire mitigation and resiliency standards in Washington state. This work group, composed of state officials, insurance industry representatives, landowners, and utilities, is tasked with coordinating state wildfire mitigation standards with national guidelines and enhancing community-level efforts. It will also focus on improving consumer transparency regarding wildfire risk and insurance non-renewals. Additionally, the group will recommend a framework for a grant program to help homeowners retrofit their properties against wildfire damage. The work group must submit its report of recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2025, and the section creating the work group expires at the end of 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1912 establishes a system for tracking and reporting sales of fuel used for agricultural purposes, which are exempt from the state's Climate Commitment Act. Fuel sellers, including retail stations and suppliers, can register with the Department of Ecology to track and report these exempt sales. Registered sellers must make exempt fuel available at a differential rate or credit purchasers to reflect the absence of associated compliance costs under the climate act. This ensures the agricultural exemption is properly applied and monitored, affecting fuel sellers, suppliers, and agricultural users starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1351) adjusts the eligibility requirements for children to access Washington's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). It clarifies that an eligible child must be at least three years old by August 31st of the school year and not yet age-eligible for kindergarten. The bill updates income thresholds for families, shifting from federal poverty levels to state median income percentages over time. Additionally, it expands eligibility to include children experiencing homelessness or those who have participated in other specific early childhood support programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1562 mandates that public buildings in Washington state provide baby diaper changing stations, directly benefiting parents and caregivers. It requires these buildings to install a changing station in at least one restroom accessible to women and one accessible to men, or in a gender-neutral restroom. This requirement applies to new public buildings and existing ones undergoing restroom remodels costing $15,000 or more. The bill includes exemptions if installation is not feasible or violates accessibility standards, and establishes a warning for a first violation, followed by a civil infraction for subsequent offenses.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1186 expands the situations in which hospitals and health care entities can dispense medications directly to patients. It allows practitioners in hospital emergency departments to prescribe and distribute limited amounts of prepackaged emergency medications to patients being discharged. This is permitted when community or outpatient pharmacy services are unavailable or inaccessible, or for specific treatments like human immunodeficiency virus postexposure prophylaxis. Hospitals must establish clear policies, including a list of approved medications, staff training, patient counseling, and generally limit supplies to a 48-hour maximum, with some exceptions. The bill also adjusts similar medication dispensing limits for other health care entities.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 4650 is a commemorative resolution recognizing Representative Bruce Q. Chandler for his 26 years of distinguished service to the 15th Legislative District and the State of Washington. It honors his contributions in areas such as agriculture, business, early learning, and state budgeting.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 4664 is a commemorative bill that honors the life and legacy of former Speaker Frank Chopp. It recognizes his extensive public service, advocacy for social justice and housing, and his record as the longest-serving Speaker in Washington state history.

Maddy summaryHB 1389 extends the expiration date for existing reporting requirements on large timber purchases. The bill requires purchasers of over 200,000 board feet of privately owned timber to report details of their acquisitions to the state department. This information includes seller and buyer details, sale price, and estimated timber volume. Originally set to expire on September 30, 2025, these reporting requirements will now remain in effect until September 30, 2029. Failure to report can result in a $250 penalty.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Washington's covenant homeownership program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers from historically marginalized communities. It raises the household income eligibility threshold for participants from 100% to 140% of the area median income. The bill also introduces a provision allowing for full loan forgiveness after five years for participants whose household income is at or below 80% of the area median income at the time of the loan. Additionally, it adjusts the membership of the program's oversight committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1563 establishes a prescribed fire claims fund pilot program in Washington state to provide financial loss coverage for damages resulting from prescribed fires and cultural burning. This program supports non-state and non-federal entities, such as private landowners and cultural fire practitioners, who conduct these burns according to approved plans and permits. The Office of Risk Management will administer the fund, which covers eligible property or economic damages up to $2,000,000 per claim. The intent is to reduce financial uncertainty and encourage the use of prescribed fire for forest health and wildfire prevention. This pilot program is set to expire on June 30, 2033.